7 Best Cold Weather Crops Friday, November 11, 2016 The impending arrival of winter is no reason to take a break from your gardening activities—unless you absolutely want to. Of course, a greenhouse makes it easier to support your growing efforts year-round, but if you choose the right crop—and if your local climate allows—there are even some things you can tend to in outside gardens when the temperature starts to change with the seasons.
Cooler temperatures are coming, and with them the challenge of adequately heating your greenhouse if you’re planning to use it to extend your growing season.
Not all greenhouses are created equal. While all serve the same purpose, greenhouses range from very simple structures to very elaborate, high-end models.Luxury greenhouses carry a higher price tag, but they are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your yard. They are a great choice if you want to do something to set yours apart from the greenhouse many gardeners or homeowners usually have.
Just because the days will start getting shorter after the autumnal equinox doesn’t mean gardeners will have to go into hibernation until spring. Utilizing a greenhouse is a great way to continue to stay involved with your gardening efforts, despite the cooler temperatures and shorter days to come.
Plants need adequate water, nutrients and a climate-controlled environment to thrive in a greenhouse. But multiple research points to light-emitting diode (LED) technology as the next up-and-coming growing essential, particularly for commercial operations.
Preparing your greenhouse for the changes in seasons is one of the most important tasks you’ll do throughout the year to set yourself up for gardening success. Just like your home, your greenhouse requires regular maintenance and tidying, but you should also schedule time for a thorough cleaning.
Regardless of how long you’ve been a greenhouse gardener or the size of your operation, every grower still needs the same essentials to be successful. Of course, some of your necessary greenhouse supplies will be dictated by your local climate, your growing goals and even what you’re planting, but these basics will never go out of style.
Novices, hobby gardeners and commercial growers rely on greenhouses to protect their plants from pests and the elements to ultimately extend their growing seasons.
Many gardeners are drawn to invest in a greenhouse to help extend their growing seasons. Not only does it give them the ability to control the growing environment—despite the extremes of weather—but also it helps them create a place for plants to thrive.
Enthusiasm is an admirable trait for the beginning greenhouse gardener, but don’t let it overshadow the practical steps you should take to ensure your efforts are successful.
